Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1887-02-21
PAUSE AND CONSIDER.


Isn't it about time that the really sim
cere opponents OF Mormon rule should
begin to consider whether they have
heretofore exercised their best judgment
in the selection of their local leaders? ?
Or rather, perhaps, isn't it about time for
them to sum up the progression which
has been made under the self-constituted
leadership of few persons who have
arrogated to themselves the right to die
tate the policy OF the loyal people oil
Utah? A couple OF months ago the law
abiding people OF the Territory were luhi-
liant over the passage Of a bill in the
House of Representatives which would
have effected the only thing which
could by any possibility lead to the de-
sired end There is no intelligent resi-
dent OF Utah but knows that the only
really effective blow which can be dealt
to Mormon, rule is the transfer OF the
political power OF the Territory from the
priesthood to the element which repre-
sents the true American spirit which can
only be found among the people who are
in deadly antagonism to any political
union between Church and State That
is the whole thing in a nutshell. 1t is
the only solution to the problem, and
anything less is mere waste OF
time and money, or at most but a
prolongation OF the struggle which
can only result in loyal ascendancy by
the adoption of the policy above out
lined, and which has always been ad-
vocated by THE DEMOCRAT since it came
under its present management The
nearest, clearest and most direct way to
accomplish this is the best one. The bill
formulated by Mr.. Tucker and which
passed the House by an almost unani-
nous vote, was exactly the thing that was
needed, and if it had become a law, in
less than two years Utah would have
been redeemed every local officer would
have been conducted in harmony with
the Federal authority, and this Territory
would have been practically as American
in its government as Washington
Montana, Wyoming or Dakota. Who
is to be blamed for the failure OF
this measure? 1t is charged, and to Il
certain extent justly, upon Senator Ed
munds. 1t is true that his was the hand
which caused to be stricken from the bill
its very vitals, leaving it an emasculated
cadaver, which while it may emit ar
inodorous effiuvia unpleasant to the
Mormon nostril, is divested OF every
element which gave it life or power
to effect the one necessary result
1t is not reasonable to presume that Mr..
Edmunds acted entirely upon his own
impulse in striking the fatal blow to thu
Tucker bill. He had repeatedly assured
Mr.. Baskin, Mr.. Bennett and other an ii
Mormon representatives at Washington
that he would support any measure
which was acceptable to the loyal people
of Utah. He said this with the ful
knowledge OF the appointive clause intro
duced by the Judiciary Committee
OF the House, for it was matter of pub
lie comment, and he, the originator o
the bill, certainly could not have re
mained in ignorance OF the change tina
had been made. 1t is evident that hi
change of policy was determined upoi
after the passage OF the bill in tht
House What caused that change? He
knew that the bill was acceptable t.
all OF the Gentiles OF this Territory, eX
cept q few who dared not openly eX
press their dissent, and whose opposition
was based entirely upon the narrow
partisan ground that it gave large
amount OF official patronage to Demo
cratic President and Democratic Gov
ernor. He was assured by Messrs. Bas
kin and Bennett, and by nnmer
GUS kilograms from prominent Gen
tiles here, that they desired ne
change whatever in the bill ant
begging him to have it passed precisely
as it came from the House. He had eX
pressed no constitutional objection Will,
the bill was pending in the other brancl
of Congress. On the contrary he haC
more than intimated his willingness Il
give the bill the benefit OF the doubt i
any existed, and to leave the question o
constitutonality to the courts. 1t is al
certain as that the sun will rise to
morrow morning, that Senator Edmund
did not determine until after the passage
OF the amended bill in the House to op
pose any OF its provisions. There il
scarcely less doubt that the motive
which actuated him was partisan one
originating from partisan sources in thi
Territory. This is made evident by
the readiness and zeal with which hi
course is defended by small
but active political clique, which as
sumes to have a corner on all OF the
loyalty here, and which is as uncompro
misingly opposed to Democratic as Nor
mon rule. Perhaps after few more
years OF unsuccessful effort and disap
pointment, the patriotic people OF Utal
will awaken to the consciousness OF thu
selfish motives OF some OF their sell-con
stituted leaders.
"
THE "NEW SOUTH"